Choosing a 12 GA semi shotgun recommendations ??

[coltfan3000]

Hello,

I haven't posted that much lately.  I have taken on a second job and I am working seven days a week now.  I took only a second job to earn some extra cash to make purchases before November.  I am looking for a semi automatic 12 gauge shotgun and I would like to get some recommendations from everyone.  I have narrowed the field down to 4 models and I would like to get some input from others on the board that may have these shotguns or shot them.

They are:

Remington 1100 tactical 12 gauge
Remington 1187 police 12 gauge
FN police 12 gauge
Benelli M4 12 gauge shotgun.

I have owned a 1187 police before I bought my house. I am starting with these particular shotguns first because I think the other hunting and sporting clay type shotguns will be available later to buy, but these models may not be available if the Democrats and President Obama has anything to do with it.

Thanks

Coltfan

[tombogan03884]

I'm not familiar with the FN or Bennelli, but either of the Remingtons is a good choice, while I have not handled or shot one, I've heard that the Saiga is a pretty good gun for the money, and it accepts a 20 round drum magazine from www.alliancearmament.com HOWEVER, the drum costs as much or more than the shotgun ( if you're working a second job I assume $ is a factor)

[jnevis]

I shot the Benelli a while back and was impressed with the recoil, or lack there of.  We used the USMC model, folding stock and pistol grip, but it was only a fam (about a half dozen rounds each).  I have been looking at the FN SLP, Mossberg 930 and Rem 1100 but haven't got a lot of time with them.  I do see the 1100, M3/M4, and Winchester SX2/3 a lot in competition (3 Gun),which fits in the "probably going to be illegal" category, and to do well there usually means that it can be beat to hell and still work pretty good IMO.

[clayflingythingy]

I have a Nova Tactical pump but have no experience with the others except as sporting guns.

Benelli auto's like the Montefeltro are, in my experience, the Glock's of the auto shotgun world. They work. Exhibition shooter Tom Knapp has put some hundreds of thousands of rounds thru a Benelli FWIW.

The FN tactical is based on the Winchester SX2. An X2 has been my duck and turkey gun for a number of years. It works. Exhibition shooter patrick Flanigan shoots a Win SX2 FWIW.

I have never liked Remington 1100s or 1187s as sporting guns. Never cared for the feel of the guns. That's a personal and subjective thing. 1100s were used for decades by skeet/trap shooters and of course hunters. Many swear by them. I have seen one 1100 fail on the sporting clays course but that could happen to any gun. My own opinion is the Remington 1100 was a good gun in the 60s to 80s time frame but has been superseded by newer guns.

I have never cared for Mossberg pumps but I have looked at the 930 auto. The Tactical may be worth some investigation.

Hope my experience with these as sporting guns is some help.

[texcaliber]

My vote is the 1100, but not the Tactical model. I think if you took a look at the 1100 competition you wouldn't look futher unless you want the 3" ability. Then the 1187. The FN would be 3rd. Then the Benelli

tex

[Sponsor]

[MikeBjerum]

I don't know anything about the FN, but know guys that shoot the Remingtons and love them.  I shoot Benelli's and am a believer.  My first was an M2 for hunting, and when looking for a tactical I tried an M4.  I ended up with an M1 with 20" barrel, and I added large bolt handle, large bolt release ($15 or $20 each from many suppliers) and a mag extension for $100 (now holds 8+1).  It still has vent rib, but I am thinking of adding a red dot.  I could add the pistol grip stock, but am more comfortable with the regular stock.  Might spend the money for the pistol grip anyway, because I fear within a year someone will be telling me I can't anymore.

Bottom line for a competition or defense gun is that it needs to go bang every time, and Benellis do!  They are advertised right down to the guy that jammed in dusty Nebraska and poured his coffee thermos in to rinse it clean.  I've been warned that they will give trouble in freezing fog or drizzle during waterfowl - mine hasn't in four seasons, and if it does ... my friends gas guns do too.

[clayflingythingy]

Tex,

The 1100 Competition is a clays gun. I don't think that's what the OP is looking for!

[texcaliber]

Tex,

The 1100 Competition is a clays gun. I don't think that's what the OP is looking for!

You are right, sorry 'bout that, I am still thinking '06-'07 when the competition1100 was a 3gun entry level shotgun. With fiber optic front sight, mag extension, gray forend and stock, with a oversize charging handle, chokes  and easily installable/removable flexible sidesaddle.

If you cant find it online Neither Can I.  If you get the 1187 i really like the ScatterGun Sights.   

[someguy]

If you're looking at a Benelli, I'd strongly suggest you consider the M2 as much as the M4.  Capacity is much higher, and
you're not really losing anything...  (vs the m4, I mean.)  Just my .02...

[texcaliber]

Tex,

The 1100 Competition is a clays gun. I don't think that's what the OP is looking for!

I went to Remington's site and the ol' competition 1100 is now the Tactical 1100.

Model 1100™ Tactical (2¾") Specifications
  Model 1100 Tac-2    SpeedFeed® IV    18"    Blasted Black Oxide    7    Fixed Imp. Cyl.    82800    $839
  Model 1100 Tac-4    Standard    22"    Blasted Black Oxide    9    Rem™Choke¹    82801    $905

Model 1100 Tactical shotguns are available in 12 gauge only.

The pistol-grip speedfeed stock has a  brass-beed front while the reg. stock has fiber optic and raise rib Tac 4.
Check em out. I like the raised rib fiber optic setup myself.

sorry about the confusion again. 

Tex